Officials are probing how a 51-year-old highway bridge came to collapse in the Italian port city of Genoa yesterday, killing at least 26 people and injuring 16 others as it sent dozens of vehicles tumbling into a heap of concrete and twisted steel.

'Do you know who I am?': Spain apologises after Moroccan king approached by police

Spain has moved to swiftly defuse a diplomatic disaster after the King of Morocco was approached by civil guards patrolling for drug smugglers and human traffickers.

King Mohammed VI was sailing near Spain's Ceuta district in northern Africa on August 7 when his vessel was stopped by Spanish authorities, El Mundo reports.

The infuriated Monarch reportedly asked the guards "do you know who I am?".

When the King removed his sunglass and cap he was instantly recognised.

The Arab leader then got straight on the phone to the King of Spain to complain about the incident.

A message was then passed from the Royal Household to Spain's interior ministry, which immediately sent a high-ranking official based in Ceuta to personally apologise to King Mohamed on his Royal yacht.

The monarch said he understood the guards were only doing their jobs but complained that they hadn't shown him respect.